No. 116 · People · Systems
Distributive Justice vs Procedural Justice
People can accept losing under fair rules, but resent even a good result reached unfairly.
In the Almanac
“Magna Carta”, 1215 · “Buffer”, 2013
Both stories in full, three ways to use it and where it misleads.
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Questions
What is Distributive Justice vs Procedural Justice?
Distributive justice is about who gets what. Procedural justice is about how that was decided: clear rules, applied consistently, open to challenge. People often accept a disappointing result if they trust the process, and resent a good one reached in secret.
How do you use Distributive Justice vs Procedural Justice?
Use it whenever you hand out anything scarce, from bonuses to chores. Share your criteria before announcing results, agree on methods before splitting costs, and let a fair rule do the deciding. Fix the process first, then keep checking the outcomes.
When does Distributive Justice vs Procedural Justice matter?
Distributive Justice vs Procedural Justice is one of the 60 mental models for people, the situations where you ask: Why do people act as they do, and how do I work with them? Within that, it belongs to “Leading people”, alongside Carrot and Stick, Golem Effect and Managing to the Person.
What is an example of Distributive Justice vs Procedural Justice?
Two stories show it at work: Magna Carta (1215) and Buffer (2013). Both are told in full in The Mental Models Daily Almanac, which has two stories for each of its 365 models.
Which mental models are related to Distributive Justice vs Procedural Justice?
Veil of Ignorance, Trust and Pirate Code. Distributive Justice vs Procedural Justice itself comes from systems.